Predators Select Joakim Kemell with 17th Overall Pick in 2022 NHL Draft

Nashville, Tenn. (July 7, 2022) - With the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the Nashville Predators selected forward Joakim Kemell on Thursday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
"He's a talented offensive player who can beat you in a lot of different ways," Predators Assistant General Manager/Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty said. "He's very strong on his feet, he can play in traffic, and he's got an excellent shot and release. He can score in a lot of different ways. He has top-six ability and the ability to produce at the National Hockey League level."

"He's versatile, but the first thing about him is that he's a goal scorer," Predators European Scout Janne Kekalainen said. "He's an extremely confident kid and has a presence and swagger about him. He can shoot from all places and knows how to finish."
Kemell, 18 (4/27/04), skated in his first full professional season with JYP of the Finnish Liiga, tallying 23 points (15g-8a) in 39 games. He led all Liiga rookies and was tied for third on his team in goals with 15; his 23 points were the second-most among U-19 skaters in his league. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound right wing made his Liiga debut at age 17 and became the youngest player in league history to score a goal in each of his first two career games. Prior to turning pro, Kemell competed for JYP's U-20 side, leading his team in goals (22) and points (36) during the 2020-21 campaign.
At the international level, the Jyväskylä, Finland, native was named to his country's roster for the 2022 World Junior Championship, earned bronze at the 2022 U-18 World Championship and was an alternate captain at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he was tied for third in goals with five.
Rounds 2-7 of the 2022 NHL Draft continue Friday morning at 10 a.m. CT with the Predators holding seven more selections: No. 82 (third round); No. 84 (third round); No. 114 (fourth round); No. 122 (fourth round); No. 146 (fifth round); and No. 210 (seventh round).